Holiday music - your recommendations?

I know we've had threads like this in past years, but why not start fresh with the latest crop of Christmas CDs? My collection continues to grow each year, so I'm always interested in recommendations from others.

The ones I tend to play again and again are:

Kenny Chesney - island themed, with his fabulous voice and some fun duets

Dean Martin - there are several of them out there, but to me "Baby It's Cold Outside" = Christmas

Doris Day - can't beat her vocal interpretations IMO, I can listen to her forever

Rosemary Clooney - one of many, has that gathered-round-the-piano feel

Ella Fitzgerald's Swingin' Christmas - I recall this one on many lists

Jethro Tull - the flute and his sort of mystical English sound lends itself well to Christmas and winter songs - it's surprisingly good!

Christmas Cocktails - part of a series that was popular a few years back - perfect for drinks with friends, very upbeat

And I confess I bought Justin Bieber's CD. And a I kinda like it. The only fail for me is "Little Drummer Boy" - he plays drums, which I was looking forward to, but then turns it into a rap, which didn't work for me. For contemporary Christmas CDs, Destiny's Child from a few years back remains a better choice.

Kelly Clarkson really needs to do a Christmas CD, as does Carrie Underwood - surprised they haven't already - or did I somehow miss them? I picked up an older one of Reba's for a dollar, but sadly there is a lot of talking/storytelling on it, which IMO takes away from the music.

Is that the one w/Reba doing The Christmas Guest on it Jenny? I actually picked that one up just for that and have it on one of the Christmas Mix CD's I did a few years ago.

BTW, it's nice to see someone w/the same addiction. I adore Christmas music and there can never be enough of it from after November 12th in this house (Mom's Birthday and a rule in this house ) till Boxing Day. Haven't picked any new ones up yet this year, but was brousing through iTunes the other night and saw two I've been searching for over there.

First one was Trisha Yearwood's The Sweetest Gift. I have this on tape and obviously would like to replace that copy, but haven't been able to find it on CD. I also highly reccomend it!! So many wonderful songs on that one, but personal favourites for me are Take A Walk Through Bethleham, There's A New Kid In Town and The Sweetest Gift which is a duet w/Trisha and her sister.

The other one was Kathy Mattea's Christmas album from the early 90's, which I have never had, but have heard several songs off of over the years. Her Christ Child's Lullaby is one I particularly have been on the hunt for as it's just so beautiful and haunting.

As Albums I do have and highly reccomend...

The three Amy Grant ones that I know of. She might have done a fourth and I just don't know about it. All get regular play in this house this time of year.

John Denver and the Muppets. Their rendition of The 12 Days of Christmas crack me up. Especially when they get to Prof. Honeydew and Beaker's part...

On the tenth day of Christmas..

Mee mee mee mee MEEEEEE!!!!

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It's also the only Album I've got/heard where the origin of Silent Night is part of the performance of the song. First John sings it in the original German, then tells the story and then is joined by the Muppets for the English rendition. It's really a beautiful version of the Carol.

Josh Groban's Noel. Nuff said, but I always warn about I'll Be Home For Christmas. There's Messages from the Troops and also Messages from the Loved Ones at Home here and there through it. First time I listened to it, I bawled like a baby. So you've all now been warned.

Barenaked Ladies' Barenaked For The Holidays. Not only is it is a rolicking good time of an album, but it's also half Christmas and half Hanukkah. Love that!!

It's also the only Album I've got/heard where the origin of Silent Night is part of the performance of the song. First John sings it in the original German, then tells the story and then is joined by the Muppets for the English rendition. It's really a beautiful version of the Carol.

I know we've had threads like this in past years, but why not start fresh with the latest crop of Christmas CDs? My collection continues to grow each year, so I'm always interested in recommendations from others.

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I was planning on starting a Christmas music thread, but you beat me to it.

Michael Buble's new Christmas CD is fabulous. Boy, can he sing. Fleiz Navidad is one of my least favourite Christmas songs, but I love his rendition. Someone should skate to it.

Last year, a poster recommended Amy Grant's Christmas CDs, so acting on that recommendation, I purchased Grant's The Christmas Collection. Love it.

I hate Christmas music generally. The best Christmas song is "Fairytale of New York" by The Pogues with Kirsty McColl.

Love this and I love the look on my mother's face when she first heard it.

I like traditional carols but I also like the offbeat a bit--One of my favorites was from a movie I did not enjoy (except for this song at the beginning.) It's called "At the Closing of the Year."http://youtu.be/R9geCS0v7w8

There was another song in the same move which was put to better use in a tv show and one of my secular friends likes it as a winter solstice/holiday song. And I like John Corbett and his character's art installation: http://youtu.be/U2TPMoP01Sc

Agreed.
That and "Blue Christmas" by Elvis. And maybe also "Christmas Rapping" by the Waitresses.

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Pretty sure I have Elvis on one of the mixed CDs I have - but I wonder if there's a full CD? One of those people who became such caricatures in the end that one forgets that he has such a beautiful voice.

Pretty sure I have Elvis on one of the mixed CDs I have - but I wonder if there's a full CD? One of those people who became such caricatures in the end that one forgets that he has such a beautiful voice.

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Elvis' Christmas Album - it's a classic. I had it on vinyl and it's now on CD. "Santa Claus is Back in Town" and "Santa Bring My Baby Back to Me" are awesome.

And I confess I bought Justin Bieber's CD. And a I kinda like it. The only fail for me is "Little Drummer Boy" - he plays drums, which I was looking forward to, but then turns it into a rap, which didn't work for me.

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I sent this song around the office on Friday and we all agreed it is the worst song ever...EVER made. I first heard it on a local radio station here as part of a fundraiser last week. The DJs would threaten to play terrible Christmas music, and the only way to stop them was by phoning in and donating to a music therapy program. They played this song, then stopped it halfway through and donated their own money because they couldn't take it anymore.

ooo great ideas - I don't have very much in the classical realm so will definitely check these out - thank you!

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The Detroit Symphony one is definitely upbeat and all instrumental. The Simply the Best Christmas one has a mix of instrumental and voices, from ballets to old favorites. Some are a bit heavy, especially the more religous ones.